Nearly a month after Laylah Petersen was shot and killed, Fogel spoke publicly for the first time.

“She said to me many, many times that she loves everyone she's ever met,” Fogel said.

Laylah’s mother donated her heart valves so that another child could live.

"When they asked about any of Laylah's organs, I of course had to confirm, but just being a mom and how I feel personally about the gift of life and giving on to others to pass it forward, that's where I automatically said yes,” Fogel said

Laylah's parents are joining families of organ donors across the country honoring the gift of life by dedicating a rose for the 2015 Donate Life Rose Parade float in Pasadena on New Year’s Day.

“It's amazing to be a part of this opportunity, to have her displayed along with other families, to have her memorialized, for the wonderful thing that we allowed her to do, to love others and love on,” Fogel said.

Laylah's rose was arranged by the Wisconsin Donor Network and the Blood Center of Wisconsin.

A benefit for Laylah's family to help pay for funeral costs and medical bills is being held from 1-7 p.m. Saturday at Schwabenhof's in Menomonee Falls.